I recently purchased a 1965 F250 with manual brakes.

The brake system has been totally rebuilt. New shoes, wheel cylinders, lines, master cylinder, etc.; however, I am still a little uneasy about the fact that it only has a single section master cylinder.

I've had more than one bad episode with old cars and old brakes. Does anyone know if there is a later model master cylinder that has a dual resevoir and can be used with my 4 wheel drum / manual system?

 

Herm, all the trucks that I have ever driven had manual brakes, I don't think that automatic brakes have come out yet.

I would guess that you are referring to drum brakes, because thats what came on the 65. I would suggest that you find a donor truck through 79, and harvest the I-beams, booster, lines, prop valve, and put some stopping power with the power disks. I have done this already.

If you have further questions, just let me know.

John

 

so, all i have to do on a half-ton conversion on a 1965 f-100 is change the i-beams? how about just the spindles-only? does the booster system bolt right up? or could i go to just a dual resevoir?

 

Frank, You can have the whole front end changed before you can get one spindle changed. The mid-late 70s trucks just drove better, didn't road walk nearly as bad. I have seen at truck meets, where just a booster was added. Most of those mid 60s trucks had big blocks in them and thery really NEED the disks to stop them. I have bought a couple of 76s and converted my 66s to power brakes, and steering, auto trannies. Things that make driving your truck easier. Harvest every thing about the braking system from the donor truck. The newer trucks have two lines for the front.

John

 

just read your reply to this gentleman. i'm not comfortable with the brake drums on my truck. how involved would it be to slap some disk brakes? what are some years you'd recommend. i like the forged i-beams, will i be able to keep them?

 

Jeff, I am not sure about your terminalogy. Any truck through 79 will work. You may email me direct if you wish, just watch the Remove_this

John

 

 

How times have changed!
Our Subaru seems to have some sort of automatic brakes.
And it even has eye sight!